Early 1st Gen (2000-2003) Tundra Frame Replacement FAQ

No, just salt and shitty steel. Sorry about your bad luck. Have you dropped the spare tire yet to check that cross member?

 

Sorry about your luck

But awesome ToyoCorp responded after the NHTSA report. That's a pretty egregious hole.

 

I didn't drop spare, but felt up around there on my first inspection of vehicle. Looked at it 3 times before pulling trigger. Tried to research the major issues and avoid if possible... The frame caps aren't terrible $210, if I can get it installed reasonably.

 

I'd let Toyota replace. There's no way the dealer can say this is in any way safe. Granted, I think the spare tire x-member is one of the spots they check, but the gaping holes up front can't be ignored.

Just know, frame replacement still costs money. You can expect to frop $1k-3k. More info in the frame recall sticky thread. Still, it's worth the money. Will add a few $K in value onto the truck, give you a fresh start. The cost will come in with whatever the dealer feels they need to replace while they're in there.

 

If I can get a new frame with under $3k additional investment, would consider that value added for sure.

 

Sounds to me like his truck doesn't apply for the recall for one reason or the other. Maybe it was sprayed in the past.

@ronin380 have you ran you vin online to see if it shows any active recalls? Make an account on Toyota.com/owners and see if it shows any info or service history there. (It may not, the website has been a bit off lately).

Shifty is saying if you get lucky enough to get a recall frame you'll probably spend $1-3k on additional work while they have it apart. Frame replacement is a $10k job by the dealer under the recall I'm not sure what it would cost to have it done by someone but you'd have to source everything on your own.

 

I checked the service history, in 2011 shows rust inspection, none found (no treatment). Looks like truck was dealer maintained with transmission and belt services in 2010-2011 (135k belt-152k tran). Belt about due, at least I know it's not original (270k now).
I'll go by dealer then maybe a different dealer.., maybe I'll get lucky. I can imagine them checking it 2011 on a rack, focusing on crossmember, if mine isn't a typical location at that time, easy to miss being on top side and behind splash guard.

 

If your last belt service was 2010/2011 and 135k ago you're way past due and probably want to put that near the top of your list if you plan to go through with frame issues.

Give Swope Toyota of Elizabethtown KY a call and see if they can help you. They do a lot of frames there including 3 trucks I've personally been involved with. See if they show you qualifying for anything. Not sure where you live but may at least point you in some direction.

 

Hey @ronin380 you hear any updates on your frame situation yet?

 

I know we all dream about this...

 

The statement in Red is information the Owner was only Privy to because his Uncle workd at a Toyota Dealership in Missouri......
Fellow Americans were never Privy to this Information nor did we ever sign a waiver stating that if we heeded/listened to the
Toyota Tundra Frame Recall - that we would waive our right to a Frame Replacment.

As others have shared by experience - The Paraffin Wax Like Coating applied at the Toyota Dealership upon the Metallurgically Defective Manufactured Frame
was Absolutely Worthless because those said Frames - INEVITABLY CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE FRAME ROT.

 

With this thread lasting into 2024 I'm somewhat optimistic. My crossmember (in the red) does have some marble size holes. I'll upload photos later, however I am curious since the recall isn't noted on the VIN and there were frame and cross member inspections noted on the service records back in 2010. NO note of the the spray treatment though. I'm going to research a bit to see what toyota dealership might be easiest to work with on this to have them inspect the frame but wanted to see if anyone in this group has any thoughts of tips to offer. Thank you!

 

If the Frame was not Coated by the Toyota Dealership then the General Pattern of Toyota would allow you to receive a Free Frame - Parts and Labor Included and a Free Tundra Rental while the work is being done.

March 2024 - Fred Anderson Toyota Mechanic - Sanford, NC posts a Tik Tok Video from the Service Garage of the Toyota Dealership which is entitled “Rust Belt Tundra gets its Frame Replaced Under Warranty!!!” about a Dilapidated 2000 Tundra having its Frame Replaced For Free. Link is Below….

https://shorturl.at/I7vpX

 

“Free” is a loose term, as we know from this thread. You still gotta pay for any parts that are rusted-dead or break, which is typically 4-digit price tag, but for a new lease on life it’s priceless.

It also depends on the dealer. Many are lazy or don’t want to deal with it and will tell you, “Nope, that recall ended”, or they’re ignorant they’re able to cash in on the work, or they don’t want to waste the bay space. It’s helpful to go to a dealer that’s aware and familiar with the work, willing to do it… and understand just because one dealer says, “no!” it doesn’t mean you can’t get it done.

 

@shifty` and @MontanaDoc appreciate the response. Saw some of the reports for the guy in NC getting a new frame in the 1st gen tundra Facebook group so I'm going to look into the specifics on the circumstances for that case.

Im certainly willing to cover some of the reasonable costs to turn this into my lifetime truck though I've also seen several other people that made it out completely covered or sub $1000.

The fact that my service records state inspection only with the crossmember recall gives me hope bu it I'm sure finding a reasonable dealer is the real challenge. I saw someone mention a dealership in Muncie Indiana had one done back in 2023 which is about an hour from me. Next closest that I saw was down in Kentucky.

I'll try to keep a record of my progress if any. Wish me luck!

Also added photo of holes in rear crossmember.

 

Have you tried your local dealer yet?

 

1st Gen noob here...contributing a frame recall journey I’m just beginning. 2002 AC 4WD TRD 4.7 (Desert Sand) with 67K miles, all in upstate NY. Read a bit about frame issues before purchase so a mechanic friend and I banged around the frame a lot before making the purchase. It was rusty but seemed solid, so I bought it (body and interior very good, runs and drives perfectly). It passed inspection a week later, but the inspector said it might not pass next year, so I took it to the Toyota dealer for an inspection…FAIL! There had been no previous recall work and so I get a new frame. The list attached to this post shows the parts the dealer will replace at no cost to me. Does anyone know if this is a complete and correct list? Somewhere on this thread I read that someone was given lower control arms for free, but my dealer wants to replace them at my charge.

My dealer also gave me a list of what they want to replace at my cost, with only an extra $400 labor charge (second and third pages of attached document. I don’t know them well, but I assume their list is a combination of parts that are truly too rusty to put back, and parts that will make their life a lot easier if they just replace with new. They apparently did a careful inspection before making up the list and so I am inclined to go with what they say. Also, the service guy I can talk to doesn’t seem to be playing games. On the other hand, the parts prices are outrageous. To wit, see the $4969.32 total on the third page of the attached document. And that quote replaces my Bilstein struts with MacPherson, which seems less good to me but maybe someone here can inform me better.

Based on advice from this forum (many thanks) I went to Ourisman Toyota and found most of the parts at an approximate 50% discount! I would spend $2029 at Ourisman, but that’s without struts/shocks and passenger CV axle (my boot is ripped, which is why my dealer included it). To replace my Bilstein 4600 package, using assembled struts would add $770 to this tab, priced at SuspensionLifts.com (again, thanks to this forum). SuspensionLifts didn’t have generic springs available and so the price includes a $60 upcharge for “Eibach Silver Color 600lb rate”. Is that what I want if I’m not doing any serious off roading and want a comfortable, controlled ride? And were Bilstein 4600s ever stock? I can’t get the CV axle from Ourisman because it is on national backorder with no expected availability date, so that’s why my dealer substituted with one from Advantage Auto (autovalue.com) at $172.40. Will that be acceptable quality? If I replace everything they listed with parts from Ourisman, Suspensionlifts, and Advantage then my total parts cost drops by $2000 to a total of $2971 (and I get Bilsteins). At this time I intend to do this.

My question for all you deeply knowledgeable Tundra folks is…is there anything wrong with this picture? Are there parts I should replace to take advantage of free labor that aren’t listed here? I plan to replace the timing chain, water pump, pulleys, and serpentine, but the service guy said there’s no labor savings with the frame job. I also want to be sure the lower ball joints are good. If they replace the lower control arms then it seems the lower ball joints should be an easy replacement, but what do I know? I’d appreciate any thoughts you experts can offer, or questions for me to ask my dealer.

 

You'd be one of the few (if any) that had to pay for lower control arms. They should be including those for free, problem is I'm not actually sure where it would say that on any official documentation so you could prove it to them. I've been at least some part of 3 frame recall replacements and they all had control arms included.

Lower ball joints wouldn't be bad to go ahead and do while it's apart but they won't be replaced unless you ask them too, it should reduce the labor charge but it's hard to say for sure. My dealer let me bring my own parts for anything that needed to be replaced.

Shocks and struts and whatnot should be free labor (as long as the springs are already on the new units) as they have to be removed anyway, so pick what you want and bring them with. The Bilstein 4600 shocks were stock on the TRD trucks yes.

I can't read a lot of what's on your estimate but I do see P/S and some scribbles that say it's $1100 in parts. What is that in reference to?

I also see sway bar links and bushings listed at $353, that's crazy, you can get upgraded links for less than half that and they have better bushings and such.

All in all I feel like you're in an interesting situation because you can either spend the money and go through with it at what I assume is a local dealer, or you can deal with going to a different dealer that is potentially far away but get a better deal on some of your parts.

 

I was searching my HD for a TSB (which I didn't find) but I stumbled across this...maybe it will be helpful.

 

I intend to actually do it if I can find a place to swap out a frame.

 

You should scoop this one up in anticipation...nice price!

 

Thanks much, Nick.

It turns out my ball joints were replaced under the recall in 2006 (about 35K miles ago) and the dealer mechanic gave them a good look and said they're fine.

Labor for shocks and struts is free.

$1100 is for a new steering rack and pinion.
I can get rebuilt for $360 or aftermarket for under $200. Is there a good reason to go with a new part if I can find a quality rebuilt or aftermarket one?
Do you (or anyone) have a recommendation for a non OEM steering rack and pinion?

As for the upgraded sway bar links, how are they better and where would I get them?

I can supply the parts and my dealer will install them, but they would not have a warrantee. Since we're talking a few thousand dollars, that's a chance I'm willing to take.

 

This is a huge help. Thanks for digging it up!

 

Did anyone know about the 2004-2006 frame replacements? Here’s some good information pointed out by member @G_unit3000. I’m surprised we don’t have a separate thread on it.

 

That was the LSC that the 00-03 trucks were also a part of, it's expired now so no more replacements are being done.

 

Did you ever get this resolved?

 

Greetings,

Frame Replacements are still alive and well for the Early 1st Gen Tundra (2000-2003) - If and only If the owner Claimed to be unaware of the Original Toyota Tundra Frame Recall (which had several different names) or Completely Ignored it. Addditionally Toyota does a VIN Lookup and confirms the respective Tundra Frame has never been coated.

All Corroded Parts Free for the Dilapidated 2000 Tundra that had its Frame Replaced - March 2024 as shared below.

Safety Recalls do not expire. What Toyota has done in Rejecting Frame Replacement of 1000's if not Tens of Thousands of American Tundra Owners is an absolutely Unethical Business Practice and is Willful and Intentional Negligence.

The Fact that Toyota rejected and continues to Reject/Deny Frame Replacements for those American Tundra Owners that heeded/listened to the Original Frame Recall and took their Tundras to their respective Toyota Dealership to have an Absolute Worthless Coating Application of Noxudol 300S and Parker 712AM known as the Toyota CRC Kit applied to a Metallurgically Defective Manufactured Frame reflects very poorly on Toyota Motor Corporation.

March 2024 - All Free - Jalid Guerrero - USMC Reservist/ Fred Anderson Toyota Sanford, NC posts a Tik Tok Video (link below) taken from the Toyota Dealership Service Bay about a Dilapidated 2000 Tundra that was granted a Free Frame Replacement - All Parts and Labor Free - and in this case as others - A Free Tundra Rental is offered while the work is being done at the Toyota Dealership.

https://shorturl.at/I7vpX



Snapshot from comments of that video between Jalid and a Tik Tok Member below/attached.






Nick @NickB_01TRD is absolutely correct - Parts are to be included for Free with regards to the Free Early 1st Gen (2000-2003) Tundra Frame Replacement - @Bevertooth93 @Jack McCarthy @Festerw @Rlc5


Cheers,
USAF Veteran

 

The only parts included for free beyond what’s in the service campaign/recall are the parts they need to destroy for removal from the frame to avoid even more cost in labor, the front lower control arms being one of them.

 

Indeed, we are saying the same thing.... All parts including corroded parts damaged/destroyed as pertinent to the Frame Replacement are replaced by Toyota in order for said Frame Replacement to be accomplished.